When I was a little girl, I loved strawberries. Every year, on my birthday, my wish was to get a strawberry cake. If I could get a strawberry shortcake, that was the best. As a child of the 80s, you can imagine my joy when I discovered Strawberry Shortcake cartoons and toys. I loved Strawberry Shortcake’s dress and green and white leggings. Most of all, I love her hat–that fluffy hat with strawberries on it was a dream. In fact, decades later, when I graduated with my PhD, I made sure I got one of those fancy, fluffy doctoral caps because I thought it looked kind of like Strawberry Shortcake’s hat. If only it was pink!
When I read that food writer, A.K. Whitney, had published an unofficial Strawberry Shortcake cookbook, I knew I had to have it. First of all, it’s a beautiful book. It’s hardcover and full color on the inside. The colors are dreamy, and the whole thing is nostalgic. And when the book arrived in the mail, I wasn’t disappointed.
One of my favorite things about this cookbook is that Whitney tells a little story with each recipe that connects the recipe to the Strawberry Shortcake television series or lore. For example, Whitney includes a recipe for “Hopsalot’s Carrot Cake Muffins” and explains that Hopsalot is Apricot’s bunny companion. Whitney also features a recipe I can’t wait to try when pear season comes this year–“Times Pear Danishes”–and she opens with a little narrative about the 1981 film, Strawberry Shortcake in Big Apple City.
To write my review of this book, I made two recipes. The first one I made was Strawberry Shortcake, of course. The directions were clear and easy to follow, and the ingredients were all things the average home cook will have at home. I love that the recipe included homemade whipped cream, which is really just the only way to go, isn’t it? The recipe came out great, so I also tried “Can’t-Stop-at-One Vanilla Butter Cookies.” These were so simple to make and so delicious. I plan to add this recipe to my cookie gift boxes I give as gifts to friends and family.
One of most favorite features of this book is that it actually lays flat! This is a huge plus for me because it is such a pain when a cookbook won’t lay flat and you have to put things on the sides to hold it while you follow the recipes. This feature is a big plus, and I give kudos to the publisher for making it happen. I am of the mind that all cookbooks should lay flat, yet so many do not.
This cookbook is fantastic for family baking time. This book builds a bridge–a bridge between generations–between those of us who grew up with Strawberry Shortcake and younger generations who are interested in Strawberry Shortcake as something quirky and vintage. If you grew up with Strawberry Shortcake, you are going to want to share this book with the children in your life, but I think it’s perfect for adults too. This cookbook offers quick and easy recipes that are both delicious and beautiful. And, of course, this book is just great fun.
The Unofficial Strawberry Shortcake Cookbook by A.K. Whitney is published by Adams Media, an imprint of Simon & Schuster, and is a part of series of unofficial cookbooks, featuring unofficial cookbooks for Harry Potter, Game of Thrones, and more. You can get your copy here or at your local bookstore.
I don’t know if you have ever heard of a strawberry kiss. It’s the bomb. After having it at the Stage Coach in Salado, Texas, I had to learn how to make it. It has three ingredients: Dried Meringue, strawberries and vanilla ice cream. The dried meringue takes some time but it is well worth the wait. Whip up a meringue recipe, spray a cookie sheet with pam and put in the oven to bake for 6 to 8 hours on 200 (It takes a while to dry). While that cooks, cut up strawberries and add a little sugar to them. Once the dried merengue is finished put it in a serving bowl with the strawberries and ice cream. It is absolutely wonderful!
Oh, this sounds fantastic!!! Thank you for this. I have to try this, especially since it includes eggs!